Boat Rentals in Alexandria, MN

Rental fleets in Alexandria include Jet skis, Pontoon boats and Ski boats. What is available on the day depends on the company and the season, so it is worth checking a few listings.

June through August is the best time for boating on Lake Carlos and Alexandria’s connected Chain of Lakes. Lake Carlos typically warms from the upper 60s in June to the mid-70s in July, then remains in the low 70s in August; September water is usually in the upper 60s.

Open-water boating generally begins after ice-out, which historically falls around late April on Lake Carlos, and continues into fall until ice returns. For trips linking Lake Carlos, Lake Le Homme Dieu, Lake Geneva, Lake Victoria and Lake Darling, remember that channel accessibility varies with the season and boat size.

Source: Minnesota DNR (dnr.state.mn.us)

From Alexandria, you can spend the day boating Lake Le Homme Dieu, Lake Carlos and Lake Geneva, with Le Homme Dieu providing navigable connections to the other two. Le Homme Dieu is popular for boating and has public access docks and two sandy swimming beaches. Carlos offers the chain’s biggest, deepest water; put in at Lake Carlos State Park’s concrete ramp, which is suitable for large boats and pontoons. Geneva is a peaceful option, with two boat landings and an accessible fishing pier.

Source: Minnesota DNR (dnr.state.mn.us)

Practical Alexandria boating day trips include Lake Carlos State Park, the Lake Agnes waterfront and the smaller west-side paddling chain. At Lake Carlos State Park, boaters can moor along the sandy lower-campground shore, then use the swimming beach and picnic area. On Lake Agnes, the waterfront beside Big Ole City Park and Alexandria City Park offers a boat dock, swimming beach, picnic shelters and fishing pier. Canoe, kayak and paddleboard users can travel through Lake Cowdry, Lake Jessie, North Union Lake, Lake Taylor, Lake Stony and Lake Brophy without leaving the water.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (dnr.state.mn.us)

Yes. As of July 1, 2026, Minnesota requires operators age 12 or older who were born after June 30, 2000, to possess a valid watercraft operator’s permit when driving a motorboat or personal watercraft, unless supervised or exempt. Children under 12 cannot operate a personal watercraft or a motorboat over 75 horsepower; they may operate a non-PWC under 75 horsepower with a qualified accompanying operator. Boats with 25 horsepower or less are exempt.

Renters must be at least 18. Adult rental customers can complete a rental course for a 180-day certificate, but resort rentals follow regular permit rules. Qualifying short-term nonresidents and certain licensed maritime operators are exempt. The Minnesota DNR administers the program.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (dnr.state.mn.us)

The Minnesota rules most recreational boaters need concern life jackets, licensing, sober operation, personal watercraft and invasive species. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requires an accessible, properly sized, Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person; children under 10 must wear one while underway. All motorized watercraft and nonmotorized craft over 10 feet must be licensed, subject to listed exceptions. Operating a motorboat while impaired is illegal, with a .08 alcohol concentration threshold. Personal watercraft may operate only from 9:30 a.m. until one hour before sunset, and operators under 12 are prohibited. Remove aquatic plants, drain water and keep drain plugs out during transport. Obey marked local no wake restrictions.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (files.dnr.state.mn.us)

Minnesota sets the rental age in statute: under section 86B.306, a person who rents or leases a motorboat or personal watercraft must be 18 or older. Someone younger may still operate it if they are named as an authorized operator on the rental agreement and hold a valid watercraft operator's permit.

Operating rules are separate. A person of any age may run a motorboat rated 25 horsepower or less that is not a personal watercraft, without a permit. No one under 12 may operate a personal watercraft or a motorboat over 75 horsepower. An accompanying operator must be 21 or older, aboard, within immediate reach of the controls, and permitted or exempt.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (revisor.mn.gov)

Alongside the boat rentals on this page, Alexandria has 5 boat dealers.